Sen. Baucus tapped to be ambassador to China

Mark Memmott | NPR

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Confirming one of the week's less-secret secrets, the White House announced Friday morning that President Obama intends to nominate Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., to be the next ambassador to the People's Republic of China.

The 72-year-old Baucus has been in the Senate since 1978. He is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

If confirmed, Baucus would succeed Ambassador Gary Locke, who said late last month that he was stepping down to return to his family in Seattle.

According to the "Billings Gazette," Bullock's choice very likely could be Lt. Gov. John Walsh (also a Democrat). Walsh has already said he'll run for the Senate next year. If he gets appointed to the seat, that could give him an advantage over the likely Republican candidate, Rep. Steve Daines.

Control of the Senate, of course, will be up for grabs next year. Now, the Democratic caucus has 55 seats to the Republicans' 45.